Stafford Family History & Genealogy

Colonel Joab Stafford, one of Cheshire's earliest settlers, distinguished himself at the Battle of Bennington in 1777. He married Susanah Spencer on 6 Oct 1751 in East Greenwich, RI. He was originally buried in the old Cheshire Cemetery and his remains were re-interred here in 1927. The following biographical sketch, written by Stefan Bielinski, was supplied Hunter Rauhofer: "According to traditional sources, Job Stafford (also Joab) was born in November 1729. Thus, he would have been the son of Thomas and his second wife Audrey Greene Stafford of Kent County, Rhode Island. The two marriages made Thomas the father of at least fourteen children. Joab's father then would have been a lumber merchant who also owned considerable real estate. In October 1751, Job married Rhode Island native Susanna Spencer. Their marriage is said to have produced ten children - all of whom were born in New England. He was a noted Anabaptist and supportive of its evangelical initiatives. Job followed his father into landholding and lumbering. In 1762, he is said to have been elected to represent Coventry, Rhode Island in the provincial assembly. At that time, he was referred to as "captain." Following the end of the last colonial war, he is said to have purchased almost 400 acres of land in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and to have moved there with his family. A number of Rhode Island families settled there at that time. An experienced militia officer in Rhode Island, Job Spencer was an officer in the Revolutionary army achieving the rank of colonel. He is said to have been wounded at Bennington in 1777. An invalid, he later received a pension for service. In 1783, Job began to sell off his property in Massachusetts and subsequently relocated his family to Albany. Two years later, he liquidated his remaining real estate and accepted a position as land commissioner in New York State. In October 1786, he was a leader of those who successfully petitioned the Albany council for permission to use the city lamps. While in Albany, perhaps Joab's family was a part of the household of his son-in-law and business associate, Thomas Spencer. An undated (but probably written after 1850) reference appearing in Munsell's "Annals of Albany" claimed that "the late Spencer Stafford's father" was the last proprietor of the "Blue Belle tavern" which was located "at the elm tree corner of State and Pearl streets, in a Dutch house." Following the death of Job's wife in September 1795, he moved into the Bethlehem home of his son-in-law. By 1800, he was ill and moved again to Cheshire, Massachusetts. Joab Stafford died in Berkshire County, Massachusetts in November 1801. This Revolutionary War veteran and transplanted Yankee had lived seventy-two years."

William Stafford was born on September 5, 1753 in London, England United Kingdom. He was in a relationship with Leah (Westervelt) Stafford, and had a child Henry Stafford. William Stafford died at age 66 years old on June 1, 1820 in Carrollton, Kentucky United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember William Stafford.

Robert Stafford was born in 1755. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Robert Stafford.

Humility (Green) Stafford was born in 1759. They was in a relationship with Ichabod Stafford, and had children Welcome Stafford, Aaron Stafford, Truman Stafford, and Mary (Stafford) Parmlee. Humility Stafford died at age 92 years old in 1851 in New York, New York United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Humility (Green) Stafford.

Revolutionary War service as Fifer under Capt. Malachi Hammet and Col. Staunton of Rhode Island. This service is recognized by the DAR. He was in a group that founded the first settlement in the Oneida area. He died as a result of epidemic illness that followed a tragic, wide-scale flood through the Oriskany Valley. Parents were William Stafford b,1712 in Warick, RI: d,1803 in Rutland, Jefferson Co, NY and Freelove Westcott b, 1724 in Providence RI: d, 1809 in Town of Augusta, Oneida Co, NY.: Brother of John Stafford 1759-1834 (Town of Augusta)

Leah (Westervelt) Stafford was born on December 2, 1764 at Long Island in New York United States to Jakob Westervelt and Maria (DeMarest) Westervelt. She was in a relationship with William Stafford, and had a child Henry Stafford. Leah Stafford died at age 24 years old on September 18, 1789 in Georgetown, KY. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Leah (Westervelt) Stafford.

Spencer Stafford was born on May 10, 1772 in Rhode Island United States to Joab Stafford. He married Dorothea (Hallenbake) Stafford in , and they were married until Dorothea's death in 1806. They had children Susan Stafford Benedict, Hallenbake Stafford, and Joab Stafford. He would also marry Harriet Romeyn Stafford in 1807. They had children Harriet Stafford Gregory and Maria (Stafford) Doolittle. Spencer Stafford died at age 71 years old in February 1844 in Albany, Albany County, NY. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Spencer Stafford.

Dorothea (Hallenbake) Stafford was born on August 23, 1773. She was married to Spencer Stafford in , and they were together until Dorothea's death in 1806. Dorothea Stafford had children Susan Stafford Benedict, Hallenbake Stafford, and Joab Stafford.

Henry Stafford was born on March 26, 1780 in Richmond, Virginia United States to William Stafford and Leah (Westervelt) Stafford. He was in a relationship with Mary (Quicksall) Stafford, and had a child Rebecca (Stafford) Critchlow. Henry Stafford died at age 65 years old on September 2, 1845 in Louisville, KY. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Henry Stafford.

Mary (Quicksall) Stafford was born on September 23, 1783 in London, England United Kingdom. She was in a relationship with Henry Stafford, and had a child Rebecca (Stafford) Critchlow. Mary Stafford died at age 77 years old on October 16, 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Mary (Quicksall) Stafford.

Welcome Stafford was born in 1785 to Ichabod Stafford and Humility (Green) Stafford, and had siblings Aaron Stafford, Truman Stafford, and Mary (Stafford) Parmlee. Welcome Stafford died at age 67 years old in 1852 in New York, New York United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Welcome Stafford.

Maj. Stafford was the last living officer of the War of 1812. Much of his service was along the New York/Canada border, around the Niagara River and Buffalo. In one battle, October 13, 1812, while fighting British and Indians, he was shot in the shoulder, then in the thigh before falling from his horse. The American forces fell, and the Major and many men were taken prisoner. He suffered greatly from his wounds, but the British surgeon overseeing care of the Americans was impressed with Maj. Stafford's good character. In fact, this Dr. Sumner and Stafford became warm friends, a state the ended only with the eventual passing of the good doctor. Stafford was married to Harriet Terry for 61 years. They had a large family and were active in the community. He was a very successful farmer and very popular. When he died, he was buried near the grave of his father, one of the earliest settlers in the area.